DEROCHEMONT, Joseph Adams

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1880, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Burial: 6 Apr 1955, Newfields, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA

Notes:

In 1940 Joseph lived with nephew John and his family. He was enumerated as a contractor in the sand and gravel business.

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Joseph married WALLACE, Florence May on 18 Oct 1899 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. Florence was born in Jul 1880 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. DEROCHEMONT, Charles Wallace was born on 6 Jul 1900 in New Hampshire, USA; died in Mar 1976 in Epping, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA.

Joseph married GRAY, Mary Pinkham on 24 May 1946 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. Mary was born on 23 Jun 1910. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Other Events and Attributes:

• Probate: Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• _DNA: Match
• _ELEC: Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; 5-term town tax collector
• _ELEC: Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Selectman; Board of Education
• Residence: 1850, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Occupation: 1861, North Andover, Essex, Massachusetts, USA; Worked in paint shop for 2 years
• Physical Description: 1870, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Fire Insurance Agent
• Residence: 1870, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Occupation: 1880, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Farmed his 90 acres
• Residence: 1880, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Self
• _ELEC: 1893; Delegate to the Constitutional Convention
• Residence: 1900, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: 12 Apr 1909, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; 68th birthday party
• Residence: 1910, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: 1920, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 12 Apr 1924; 86th birthday party

Notes:

According to Amelia Patch, Fred lost a leg and had a wooden one. The leg was cut off by the doctor while he was lying on the kitchen table, and the leg was buried in the back yard. Later, after he had recuperated, his wooden leg was bothering him. They went to the yard, dug the old leg up and there rubbing up against the bone was an English walnut! He insisted that the walnut was the thing that was bothering his wooden leg.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Fire Insurance business
• Probate: Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• _DNA: Match
• Residence: 1850, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Names are transcribed incorrectly in the 1850 Census
• Residence: 1865, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 1870, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 1880, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Self

Notes:

Thanks to Debbie (Patch) Wilson for the following notes. These come from her extensive research which she provided to me on 5 Oct 2014 when I visited her home in Sandwich, NH:

Frederick William accompanied his uncle Carsten at about age fourteen to
Demerara to live with his father's sister and family. There he worked in a law
office. He fell in love with his first cousin, and despite the displeasure of the
family concerning a relationship this close, he married Maria Louisa de Wit.
When Maria Louisa's parents died twenty months apart, what was left of their
insolvent estate was left to the seven minor de Wit children (minority there lasted
until the age of 25). The Water Side House, so-called, was auctioned off and
bought by Frederick to pay outstanding bills, and twenty-five of the thirty-one
slaves were sold. Since Frederick had been given sole guardianship of the
minors, he handled the money and brought Maria's younger sisters and six of the
slaves north to the United States where they all settled in Newington. Maria's
brother Carsten joined them later. There is a copy of the receipt for the purchase
of the slaves. Frederic paid a total of 2735 guilders for six slaves: Cupido 890,
of the slaves. Frederic paid a total of 2735 guilders for six slaves: Cupido 890,
Marianne 325, Calais 335, Isaac 375, Dick 475 and Jeannette 335.

In 1861 Frank Pickering and his wife Sophia De Rochemont instituted a suit
claiming that Frederick had not given the minors their fair share from the sale of
the property located at 310 Werken Rust as well as the slaves and had kept the
use of the remaining slaves left to the minors for himself. The Pickerings also
asked for compensation for the eleven years of labor and services that Sophia
had provided while living with Frederick and his family. There are on file at the
New Hampshire State Archives long depositions by all parties involved
concerning life in Demerara, the circumstances by which they came north, and
other vital facts, including the deposition that the minors had received a legacy
from Holland which amounted to about $32.00 apiece in the fall of 1841 or the
spring of 1842. The court eventually ruled that a husband could not sue for
property owned by his wife before the marriage, and it found in favor of the
defendant Frederick William.

In the 1850 census are the following:
F. De Rochemont 45
Maria L. 39
William H. 21
Mariah L. 12
Frederick W. 8
Amelia 4
Elizabeth 2
Mariana DeWitt 80
Sarah H. De Rochemont 72
John Hodgdon 14

We know now that Mariana DeWitt in the 1850 Newington census was a slave.
She was brought from Demerara with others when Frederick brought his family
north and had been inherited by the DeWitt girls when their parents died. Several
of the slaves are buried in the garden behind the Derochemont house (I believe
Percy's house). Sarah H is Sarah Ham Moses Derochemont, Frederick's mother.
In the 1860 census Frederick was listed as the postmaster. He held this position
in Newington almost all of his life.

In the 1870 census, there was a domestic girl named Mary Loheed with Fred and
Maria Derochemont in Newington. She was 17, born MA. Mystery solved! The
New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Jan/April 2012 included in its articles"Girls
Sent to New Hampshire From the Boston Asylum.". In it was find Mary Loheed.
July 1857: widow named Mrs. Loheed had brought two little girls to the Asylum.
Her husband had recently died leaving her with four children whom she now felt
unable to maintain. The committee admitted Catharine Ann and Mary Anne
Loheed. In June of 1863 Mrs Loheed applied to take Catharine, now more than
12 years old. It was granted. In February of 1865 Mrs Penhallow of Portsmouth
applied for Mary Anne and she was bound to Mr and Mrs Penahallow. However,
in November of the same year, "Mr FW de Rochemont from Newington made
application for Mary Anne Loheed. He brought two recommendations from
persons in the neighborhood" and it was voted to bound Mary Anne Loheed to Mr
and Mrs de Rochemont.

We find in Boston births that Mary Loheed was born 20 Feb 1854, dau Thomas,
bootfitter born Ireland and Mary A also born Ireland. Her sister Catharine Ann was
born 11 Nov 1850

Rockingham Court 279-186
Thomas B Leighton as administrator of the estate of Christopher Rymes, deceased and late of Newington, blacksmith sold to John S Pickering the Rymes home and outbuildings along with 52 acres plus a driftway across the old Shackford Farm across the road and to the Piscataqua River. The driftway was to be used for unloading goods and lumber at the beach landing on the old Shackford Farm. Signed 20 Nov 1834. Recorded 28 Dec 1835. 297-321
John S Pickering sold to FW deRochemont for $2800 above property of home with 52 acres plus an additional 14 acres. Derochemont was also to pay the 1838 mortgage given on the property to St John's Church. Mary J Pickering released dower. Signed 24 March 1840. Recorded 6 April 1840.
561-64
Frederick W Derochemont and Maria Louisa Derochemont sold for $4,000 the above property of 52 acres plus buildings as well as 14 additional acres to Clarence Derochemont. He was obligated to assume the payment of the mortgage of $833 mortgage given to St John's Church. Signed 11 April 1881. Recorded 8 June 1897.
* In 1895 (546-372) Clarence borrowed $1400 from Henry A and son Harry B Yeaton and gave the property above, including the 14 acres as collateral. There are various tax liens on Clarence Derochmont property in Greenland somewhere in Packer's Bog. It was eventually given in a tax forfeit in 1979 by Clarence's estate.


Baptism at the Parish of Saint Andrew

Frederick married DEWIT, Maria Louisa on 24 Mar 1828 in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana. Maria (daughter of DEWIT, Carston Cornelius and DEROCHEMONT, Maria Louisa Suzette) was born on 28 Mar 1811 in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana; died on 3 Sep 1900 in Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; was buried on 6 Sep 1900 in Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Maria Louisa de WIT
• _DNA: Match
• Birth: 28 Mar 1811, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana
• Immigration: 1839, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 1850, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 1880, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: 1 May 1894, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Home described as an old-fashioned, roomy farmhouse, built by Christopher Rymes...with wide halls and ample proportions"
• Residence: 1900, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Marital Status: Widowed; Relation to Head of House: Mother

Notes:

Maria Louisa went to school with Celia Thaxter's mother at Susan Huntress' school. She raised her four younger sisters whom she brought north with her and her husband. She also brought several slaves, one of whom was named Nina and lived to be over 100 years old. They are buried in the garden of the DeRochemont home in Newington.

Marguerita Mazeau related that her father Percy told her that as Maria Louisa, called Louisa, became elderly, she remained most of the time in the upstairs bedroom in the home where Marguerita now lives which at that time belonged to Louisa's son Clarence. She was afraid most of the time that a strange man was going to get her and would scream about it. Marguerita has in her home a small wreath of dried flowers that Louisa supposedly wore at her wedding, a present from her brother who got it while in England. I do not know if it was from brother Carstin or brother Leonard who died ca 1829.

In the 1900 Newington census, Maria L was enumerated with Clarence and his family. It also states erroneously that both of her parents were born in Germany. It also states that she had a total of 12 children and that 6 were living as of 1900. I have only the names of 10 children for her.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Relation to Me: 5 GGF
• _DNA: Match - Michelle (paternal) Ancestry DNA Circle
• Immigration: 1803, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Burial: 1826, Newington, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA

Notes:

1810 census for Portsmouth
Derochemont, MJ
3 males under 10
1 male 26-44
1 female under 10
1 female 26-44
1 female 45 +
1820 census does not exist

1830 census for Portsmouth
Sarah deRochemont
1 male 5-10
1 male 15-20
1 female 15-20
1 female 20-30
1 female 50-60

Birth:
Tournai (Doornik), Belgium

Maximillian married MOSES, Sarah Ham on 14 Jan 1804 in Greenland, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. Sarah (daughter of MOSES, William and GROVE GROVER, Margery) was born on 12 Oct 1783 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; was christened on 12 Oct 1783 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; died on 15 Apr 1856 in Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; was buried in Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Relation to Me: 5 GGM
• Name: Sarah Ham Moses
• _DNA: Match - Michelle (paternal)
• Birth: Abt 1779, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; Death record indicates her parents as Wm Moses & Mergery Grover
• Residence: 1850, Kingston, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Residence: 1850, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA
• Burial: 1856, Newington, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, USA
• Death: 5 Aug 1856, Chelsea, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA

Notes:

Died:
Liver disease

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Castin Cornelius de WIT
• _DNA: Match - Michelle (paternal)
• Ordained: 1811, Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana; Suger planter

Notes:

In the 1 May 1894 Boston Daily Globe article titled "She Is No Yankee," it says that Castin Cornelius De Wit is descended from the family of John de Wit, governor of Holland. It describes him as a sugar planter with a schooner.

A small note in family papers reads, "Cornelius C. DeWit died Apr. 1. 1827. Buried on Plantation Le Resouvenir, east coast of Demerary Apr. 3. 1827. b June 25. 1780".

So far Castin Cornelius's line has not been found other than parents. As of 16 May 1807 Carsten and his brother with only the intitial "N" owned shares in Plantation Wittenberg. In 27 Oct 1804 LHH de Wit was the manager of Le Resouvenir.

The following information was extracted from Crowns of Glory, Tears of Blood, the Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823 by Emilia Viotti da Costa.

"When all land along the river had been granted, the company distributed new grants along the coast, east and west of the mouth of the Demerara, in the areas that came to be known as the East Coast and the West Coast. A limit of 1,000 acres was established for sugar and 500 for coffee plantations. Before the area could be settled, a complicated system of canals, dams, and sluices had to be built to improve drainage--a task the Dutch were particularly qualified to accomplish. Plantations were laid out next to each other, with frontages of 100 roods [one rood= 12 feet] and depths of 750."

Demerara was incorporated into the British empire circa 1792. On the East Coast, the area between the Demerara River and Berbice, most plantations in the first part of the nineteenth century were producing mainly cotton although some were producing at the same time sugar, rum, cotton, and coffee. By 1813, 8% of the plantations had more than 300 slaves, 40% had between 200 and 300, and 46% had between 100 and 200.

Le Resouvenir belonged evidently to a Dutch planter named Hermanus Hilbertus Post. Unlike most of the planters, he was a pious man and invited a Methodist minister named Wray from the London Missionary Service to come and preach to the slaves. Post had been born in Utrecht in 1755 but had settled in Demerara. He quickly built a fortune which allowed him to travel to Holland and to live in New Rochelle, NY from 1791 to 1799. He returned in 1799 to take care of business in Demerara. Evidently he had undergone a religious conversion and made the religious instruction of his slaves a top priority.

Le Resouvenir was on the East Coast of Demerara, about eight miles from Stabroek which became Georgetown. In 1808 it "had a population of 375 slaves and about 700 acres, 225 of which were planted in cotton, 375 in coffee, and 100 in cocoa and provisions. The main building stood about a mile from the seaside, and behind it there was a canal leading to the back dam. Orange trees had been planted on each side of the canal. A green path shaded by rows of Mountain Cabbage trees led from the main house to the public road. Everything had been built or grown by slaves under Post's supervision."

Post built a chapel called Bethel Chapel on Le Resouvenir and a small missionary house as well. Slaves from surrounding plantations were allowed to attend the church services also. Most of the congregation was made up of slaves and a few white overseers. The local Dutch minister as well as other planters saw Post as a trouble maker. Many at Le Resouvenir only spoke Dutch, but most spoke English as well.

In 1809 Post died, and his widow married a man named Van der Haas whose brother beat the slaves. He in turn was replaced by a man named Hamilton. There was much unrest on the plantation at this time. Wray who had come to preach had been eventually replaced in 1816 by missionaries John Smith and his wife Jane. In her deposition, Sarah de Wit mentions a Dr Smith, but he appeared to be a medical doctor, and the above John Smith was dead by the time the De Rochemonts immigrated to the U.S. in the 1830's. It is John Smith who is considered the hero of the slave rebellion of 1823 which led ultimately to their emancipation. He lived and preached on Le Resouvenir.

Da Costa speaks of an outbreak of smallpox at Le Resouvenir in 1819. She further mentions a slave Susanna who lived with the plantation manager John Hamilton. She also speaks of slaves in the dry season going to Le Resouvenir for water, for there was a permanent spring there. She mentions a carpenter Peter Hood on the plantation and slaves Cupido, Romeo, and Azor. The focus of the book concerned the events that led up to the revolt of 1823, and there is little about the goings-on of Le Resouvenir other than those that concerned the slaves directly.

Buried:
Le Resouvenir, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana

Carston married DEROCHEMONT, Maria Louisa Suzette in 1805 in Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana. Maria (daughter of DEROCHEMONT, Carel Pieter Wlhelm and VESTJENS DE ROCHEMONT, Maria Margot Margaretha Vestjeris) was born on 20 Nov 1786 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands; was christened on 30 Nov 1786 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands; died on 30 Nov 1828 in Plantation Le Resouvenir, Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana; was buried . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _DNA: Match (Michelle - paternal)
• Residence: 1850, Newington, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA

Notes:

In the 1 May 1894 Boston Daily Globe article titled "She Is No Yankee," describing Maria Louisa De Wit, Marie Louise Susette's daughter, that she traces her ancestry back to Francois Baron de Rochemont and Seignieur de la Mothe, at des Bresjores, who died in France in 1661.

Her birth 20 Nov 1786 and death of 30 Nov 1828 date are from family papers which Virginia DeRochemont had in her possession. The marriage betrothal announcement was in the 31 Aug 1805 issue of the Essequebo and Demerary Gazette. In the US lawsuit filing against Frederic deRochemont, it was stated that MLS deRochemont died 6 Dec 1828, so I will use that legal date. The deposition to the lawsuit said that Maria was not in her right mind at the end. Her estate at death included the land and lot at #10 Werken Rust, the wharf and the passage to the road. Frederic sold the real estate and twenty-five of the slaves and placed proceeds in trust for the seven surving children.